California Civil War Rosters
Introduction to the Third Regiment of Infantry
“Records of California Men in the War of the Rebellion, 1861 To 1867.” 1890. pp 505-521.
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler.
This
regiment was organized at
[EXTRACT]
HEADQUARTERS HUMBOLDT MILITARY DISTRICT,
Maj. R.C. DRUM, Assistant
Adjutant-General, Department of the Pacific,
MAJOR: The following is a summary of operations against the Indians in my district since my last dispatch in April last:
On the sixth of April, Captain Ketcham, with a scouting party of Company A, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, found near Yager Creek the rancheria of the Indians that had previously robbed Cooper’s Mills of two thousand five hundred pounds of flour. The Indians had just fled, leaving some seven hundred pounds of the flour, together with belting from the mill, mill files, baskets, bullets, lead, shot pouches, bullet molds, etc., all of which articles were burned, there being no means of packing them.
On the sixteenth of April, a detachment of five men of Company E, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, stationed near Cooper’s Mills, on Yager Creek, reinforced by four or five citizens, went in pursuit of a band of some forty Indians that had robbed the mills of some three thousand three hundred pounds of flour the night before. After a very difficult march to the northward, of ten miles, they came upon a rancheria, where they found the flour, having no means of packing, they destroyed, together with the lodges and their contents. No Indians were seen, as they had all fled on the approach of the party.
During
a scout of Company F, Second Infantry, California Volunteers, commenced April
second, by Lieutenant Flynn, three Indians near
On
the twenty-seventh of April, Captain Ketcham, of Company A, Third Infantry,
California Volunteers, returned to
On the same day, Lieutenant Staples, with a detachment of the same company, came upon a large band of Indians by surprise (having previously managed to kill their scout or sentinel without giving the alarm); killed fifteen of them and took forty prisoners, three of whom he left behind, being unable to travel.
On
the seventh of May, instant, Captain Ketcham, reported eleven Indians as having
come in at
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
(Signed:)
FRANCIS J. LIPPITT,
Colonel,
Second Infantry,
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: Since I received instructions from your
office to prepare a command for the protection of the overland mail route, I
have received no instructions as to how far east it was intended that I should
send my troops. Colonel P.E. Connor,
Third Infantry, California Volunteers, whom I appointed to command all the
troops on the mail route has advanced with seven companies of his regiment, and
is now encamped near Stockton. Supplies
are being collected and transportation preparing for crossing the
With great respect, your most obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L.THOMAS,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: On the twenty-sixth instant I reviewed and
inspected the Third Infantry, California Volunteers, commanded by Colonel P.E.
Connor, encamped near
I
am preparing the headquarters and two companies of the Second Cavalry, under
Colonel Sims, now encamped at
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: I have nothing later from Brigadier-General James H. Carleton than was communicated in my letters of the ninth and tenth instant.
Inclosed herewith is a copy of a communication under date
of June second, addressed to General Carleton by his Excellency Ignacio Pesqueira, Governor of the State of
Colonel
P. Edward Connor, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, marched on the twelfth
instant, from his camp near
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: Colonel Connor, Third Infantry, California
Volunteers, with his regiment, has passed the Sierra and is probably now in the
vicinity of
In
the District of Oregon all is quiet. The
headquarters of the First Infantry,
In
the District of Humboldt Indian difficulties still continue; the troops have
been zealous and indefatigable in their exertions, and
more than four hundred Indians have been captured and brought into
The
Indian difficulties on
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: Colonel Connor, with seven companies of Third
Infantry, California Volunteers, and three companies Second Cavalry, will reach
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF
MAJOR: I have the honor to report my return to this
post from
The
country between this place and
It will be impossible for me to describe what I saw and heard in Salt Lake, so as to make you realize the enormity of Mormonism; suffice it, that I found them a community of traitors, murderers, fanatics, and whores. The people publicly rejoice at reverses to our arms, and thank God that the American Government is gone, as they term it, while their prophet and bishops preach treason from the pulpit. The Federal officers are entirely powerless, and talk in whispers, for fear of being overheard by Brigham’s spies. Brigham Young rules with despotic sway, and death by assassination is the penalty of disobedience to his commands.
I have a difficult and dangerous task before me, and will endeavor to act with prudence and firmness. I examined the country in the vicinity of the city to find a suitable location for a post.
The latter buildings are the only ones in tolerable repair; the others require doors, windows, and considerable work to place them in habitable order. The land is considered a Government reserve, but the post is badly located, being on the edge of the reserve and adjoining a small village, inhabited by a class of persons of questionable character. There is good grazing on the reserve, which is the only redeeming quality, in my opinion, it has. There are sufficient adobes on the ground to erect such additional buildings as I may require, but good timber is scarce, and the sawmills are sixty miles distant.
I
found another location, which I like better for various reasons, which I shall
explain. It is on a plateau about three
miles from
The Federal officers desire and beg that I will locate near the city. The Governor especially is very urgent in the matter. It is certainly rather late in the season to build quarters, but I believe I could make my command comfortable before very cold weather sets in.
It
is raining here now, and snowing on the surrounding mountains. It is important that I should know the
General’s decision as soon as possible, as winter is fast approaching. Communication by mail or telegraph will,
until my arrival at
I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Colonel Third Infantry,
Maj.
R.C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT O FTHE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: I have the honor to enclose herewith a copy of a letter from Colonel P.E. Connor, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, commanding the District of Utah, dated November 6, 1862, also a copy of the report of Major E. McGarry, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, detailing the result of his expedition to capture guerrillas and punish Indians engaged in the late massacres on the Humboldt River. The swift retributive punishment which has been meted out to those Indians will doubtless have the effect of preventing a repetition of their barbarities. It is the only way to deal with those savages.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF
MAJOR: You will proceed this P.M., with a detachment
of sixty men of your command, to Cache Valley, at which point are encamped Bear
Hunter’s tribe of Snake and Bannock Indians, who, I am credibly informed, have
in their possession an emigrant boy, about ten years of age, whose parents were
murdered last summer by Indians. The
boy’s uncle is at present at
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Colonel Third Infantry,
Maj. E. McGARRY, Second
Cavalry,
---------
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF
COLONEL: I have the honor to inclose
a letter of instruction to Major McGarry, and his report of the expedition upon
which he was sent. The uncle of the boy,
who is now at this post, is a resident of
The Indians are threatening the overland mail route east and west of here. I have no fears of the western end, as the lessons I have been teaching them and the messages I send them make them fear me. About a week since I sent ten men to protect the telegraph station at Big Sandy, which was threatened by Indians. On Saturday last they stole one hundred horses from Fort Bridger Reserve, belonging to some mountaineers, who are wintering there; and fears are entertained that they will attack some of the stations of the overland mail.
I
have therefore ordered Company I, Captain Lewis, of my regiment, to garrison
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Colonel Third Infantry,
Lieut.-Col.
R.C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General,
Department of the Pacific,
The
establishment of the Third Infantry in the vicinity of
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: Within the last ten days affairs in
I
have directed Colonel Connor to telegraph directly to you anything very
important. We are raising the additional
regiment of infantry and the seven companies of cavalry, but the recruiting is
slow. The greatest embarrassment is the
want of funds. We cannot possibly get
along on this coast without specie. With
treasury notes fluctuating in value, frequently at a discount of 50 per cent,
it is impossible to make contracts, and when purchases are made we pay nearly
double the price. Arrangements are being
made to throw forward troops and supplies in the early spring for the
establishment of a post at
I
am advancing the Fifth Infantry, California Volunteers, under Colonel Bowie,
into the
The
Legislature of this State is still in session at
With great respect, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
---------
HEADQUARTERS
March 15, 1863.
COLONEL: I have the honor to communicate, for the information of the General commanding, the following facts in relation to the extraordinary proceedings of the people of the Territory during the last twelve days. On Tuesday, the third instant, an excited meeting was held in the Mormon Tabernacle, in Salt Lake City, at which resolutions were passed asking his Excellency Governor Harding, and Associate Justices Drake and Waite, to resign and leave the Territory.
The reason they gave for this action is that those gentlemen caused a bill to be presented before Congress which they say is inimicable to their interests; but I have reason to believe that such is not their real cause of grievance, and that because those gentlemen do not choose to become the tools and creatures of Brigham Young, and follow in the footsteps of ex-Governor Cummings, the present Chief Justice Kinney, and the present Secretary of State, Frank Fuller, is the real cause of this action against them. The latter officers, Messrs. Kinney and Fuller, disgrace their commissions and the Government they represent, and I unhesitatingly assert, that while the former Chief Justice, Kinney, holds his office, no conviction can be had before his Court against a Mormon unless Brigham Young would sanction such conviction. This appears strong language, but the assertions are susceptible of proof, and manifest to every resident and loyal citizen of the Territory.
On Tuesday, the third, and between the hours of 10 P.M. and 3 A.M. of the fourth instant, Brigham Young caused to be removed from the Territorial arsenal to his residence all the ordnance and ordnance stores, and placed a large body of armed men in his yard, which in inclosed with a high stone wall. On Monday, the ninth, he raised the national flag over his residence, for the first time, I am told, since his arrival in the Territory, but not, however, from motives of patriotism, or for any loyal purpose, but as a signal to his people to assemble armed, which they immediately did, to the number of about one thousand five hundred. The same farce was performed again on the twelfth instant, and the only excuse his adherents give for this extraordinary proceeding is that he feared I would arrest him for uttering treasonable language, but, in my opinion, that is not the true cause, as there has been nothing in my conduct or language which could be construed so as to induce that belief, further than what I said when I first entered the Territory, to the effect that “any person, whosoever he might be, who was guilty of using treasonable language, would be arrested and sent to Alcatraz Island.” Since my arrival the people of the Territory have been treated kindly and courteously by both my officers and men, who have never given one of them cause for complaint, which the people freely acknowledge. But, notwithstanding this, the courtesy we have given is returned with abuse; they rail at us in their sermons, in which we are also classed with cut-throats and gamblers, our Government cursed and vilified in their public speeches and meetings, and those of their people who supply this camp with vegetables, eggs, butter, and produce are proscribed and shamefully abused for extending such favors. The late armed display was a mere ruse to frighten the proscribed Federal officers from the Territory; or else they desire to have a conflict with the Government, and are endeavoring to provoke me into inaugurating it; the latter I believe to be the real motive, however Brigham Young may try to disguise the fact.
As
evidence to substantiate the latter belief, he made use of the following
language in a speech delivered at the Tabernacle on Monday, the third
instant: “Joseph Smith told me thirty
years ago that these prophecies were bound to come true. He hoped they would. He would like to live in Heaven with the
Government of the
And on Sunday, the eighth instant, he said: “Is there anything we would not do to show our loyalty to the Government? Yes; if the present administration should ask us for one thousand men, or even five hundred, to go down there (meaning to fight the Rebels), I would see them damned first, and then they could not have them while these soldiers are in our vicinity.”
And at the same place, and on the same day, Heber Kimball, second President of the Mormon Church, said: “We can defy the whole Federal Government.” To which the congregation responded, “That’s so, we can.”
The
people are, by order of Brigham Young, busily engaged in preparing ammunition
and cannon, and their foundry for some weeks past has been used for casting
cannon-balls; they also loudly assert that I shall not be reinforced, and that
if the attempt is made they will cut off the reinforcements in detail and
attack me. The law against polygamy is a
dead letter on the statute books; Brigham has lately violated it, and boasts
that he will have as many wives as he desires, and advises his people to pursue
the same course. American citizens, who
are not Mormons, cannot hold real estate in the Territory, and those who
undertake to do so are abused and threatened, their property stolen, or
confiscated by the Mormon Courts upon a charge manufactured for the
occasion. I have applications daily from
people of the Mormon faith who desire to leave the Territory, and who say they
cannot do so without protection form me, as they fear they would be arrested,
their property taken from them on some trumped-up charge, and probably their
lives taken. They have ample grounds for
their fears, for such has been the fate of many a poor wretch who dared to
apostatize and leave the Mormon Church.
Yesterday morning Brigham Young started for the northern settlements
with a guard of one hundred and fifty mounted men. Previous to starting they were drawn up in
front of his residence, and as the Governor’s son, who is also his Private
Secretary, was passing, some of them shouted:
“Three cheers for ex-Governor Harding, and long life to Jeff.
I had contemplated and have all preparations made for another expedition against the Indians, this being the best and most favorable season for that service, for the reason that in the summer the Indians scatter so in the mountains that it is impossible to make a successful campaign against them. But in consequence of the hostile attitude of the Mormons, I will be compelled to forego such duty for the season.
This is a plain and brief statement of the facts as they exist here, and, unless reinforced, as I have requested in a former communication, I would respectfully recommend that my command be withdrawn from the Territory, and the Mormons be left to further preparations of their infamous conduct until such time as the Government can spare the number of troops required to forever put a stop to their outrageous, unnatural, and treasonable institutions. My command is in no immediate danger, but if the present preparations of the Mormons should continue, I will be compelled, for the preservation of my command, to strike at the heads of the Church, which I can do with safety, for, they being once in my power, their followers will not dare touch me; but if I remain in my present position (although a strong one), for them to attack me, I am lost, as they have about five thousand men capable of bearing arms, and cannon of heavier caliber than mine. In any event, the General commanding can rest assured that I will do nothing rashly or hastily, and my intercourse with them will be, as heretofore, courteous and firm.
I herewith inclose the replies of his Excellency Governor Harding, and Judges Waite and Drake, to the Mormon committee who waited upon them the day after the meeting of the third instant.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Colonel Third Infantry,
Lieut.-Col.
R.C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General,
Department of the Pacific,
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith, for the consideration of the General-in-Chief and War Department, a communication dated on the fifteenth instant, and addressed to my headquarters by Colonel P.E. Connor, Third Infantry, California Volunteers, commanding at Camp Douglas, Utah Territory, together with the remarks of Brigham Young on the third of March, and the replies of Governor Harding and Judges Drake and Waite to the Mormon committee who waited upon those gentlemen and presented the resolutions passed by the mass meeting held on the third instant, requesting them to resign and leave the Territory.
The
astounding developments exhibited in these documents demand serious
consideration and prompt action to enforce obedience to our laws, and to
sustain and support the officers of the general Government in the proper
discharge of their duties. Although the
excitement at Great Salt Lake City, brought about by the treasonable acts of
Brigham Young and his adherents, has somewhat subsided, yet I am fully
satisfied that they only wait for a favorable opportunity to strike a blow
against the Union. When Colonel Connor
approached
Brigham
Young was exceedingly anxious that the troops should occupy
Colonel
Connor has a strong position and is in no immediate danger, and I shall throw
forward reinforcements as soon as they can be procured; as they advance towards
By
late telegraphic dispatches I am advised of attacks on two or three of the
overland mail stations by Indians beyond
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
G. WRIGHT,
Brig.-Gen.
L. THOMAS,
Remarks of Brigham
Young, March 3, 1863, not Published in “
Of the Governor he said:
“Let him go back to his (Governor Harding’s) friends, if he have any. He has none, either in Heaven or hell, or anywhere else.
“This
man who is sent here to govern the Territory – man, did I say? thing, I mean; a
nigger worshiper, a black-hearted abolitionist is what he is, and what he
represents, and these two things I do utterly despise – he wants to have the
telegraph torn down and the mail stopped and turned by way of
Of the Judges he said:
“Judges
Drake and Waite are perfect fools and tools for the Governor. If they could get the power, as they want to
do, to have the Marshal choose juries of cut-throats, black-legs, soldiers, and
desperadoes of
Reply of his Excellency Governor Harding to the Mormon Committee who
waited upon him, Presented the Resolutions passed by the Mass Meeting held on
the third instant, and Requested him to Resign and Leave the Territory.
Having stated the object of this visit, the Governor replied to them, in substance, as follows:
“Gentlemen, I believe that I understand this matter perfectly. You may go back and tell your constituents that I will not resign my office of Governor, and that I will not leave this Territory until it shall please the President to send me away. I came here a messenger of peace and good will to your people; but I confess that my opinions about many things have changed. But I came also, sirs, to discharge my duties honestly and faithfully to my Government, and I will do it to the last. It is in your power to do me personal violence, to shed my blood, but this will not deter me from my purpose. If the President can be made to believe that I have acted wrongfully, that I have been unfaithful to the trust that he has confided to me, he will doubtless remove me; then I shall be glad to return to my family and home in the States, and will do so, carrying with me no unjust resentments towards you or anybody else. But I will not be driven away. I will not cowardly desert my post. I may be in danger by staying, but my mind is fixed.
“I desire to have no trouble, I am anxious to live and again meet my family, but if necessary an administrator can settle my affairs. Let me now say to you, sirs, in conclusion, and as this is said to be a band of prophets, I too will prophecy: If one drop of my blood is shed by your ministers of vengeance while I am in the discharge of my duty, it will be avenged, and not one stone or adobe in your city will remain upon another. Your allegations in this paper are false, without the shadow of truth. You condemn my message as an insult to you, and yet you dare not publish it for fear that your judgment will not be sustained by the people themselves. That I have done you wrong in representing you to the Government as disloyal is simply preposterous. Your people, public teachers, and bishops have, time and time again, admitted the fact. I an now done, sirs, and you understand me.”
Reply of his Honor Judge Drake, on the Same Occasion.
He
said: “The communications you have made
are of some importance, as they are intended to affect me. I desire to say something before you go. It is no small
thing to request a citizen to leave a country.
Are you aware of the magnitude of the business you have undertaken? I deny that you have any cause for such
conduct towards me. I am an American
citizen, have a right to go to any part of the Republic. I have a right to petition or ask this
Government to amend the laws or pass laws.
You, Taylor and Pratt, are men of experience and reputed to be men of
learning, and ought to know better than to insult a man by such means. That it is mean and contemptible. That on your part, Taylor, a foreigner, it is
impudence unequaled, and Pratt, a citizen, ought to know better then to trample
on the rights of a citizen by performing such a dirty enterprise.” Judge Drake said: “Your resolutions are false, and the man that
drafted them knew it to be so, and I further understand that Brigham Young, in
the meeting at the Tabernacle, called me a fool and a tool of the
Governor.” Here
“I tell you, if your or this man you so faithfully serve attempt to interfere with my lawful business, you will meet with trouble of a character you do not expect. A horse thief or a murderer has, when arrested, a right to speak in Court, and, unless in such capacity, and such circumstances, don’t you ever dare to speak to me again.”
Reply of Judge Waite to the Committee, on
the Same Occasion.
“To comply with your wishes, gentlemen, under such circumstances, would be to admit impliedly, at least, one of two things: Either that I am sensible of having done something wrong, or that I was afraid to remain at my post and perform my duty. I am not conscious either of guilt or fear. I am, therefore, obliged respectfully to decline acceding to your request.”
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF
COLONEL: In former communications I have had the honor to fully set forth my views to the Department Commander relative to the condition of the Mormon people and the sentiments of their leaders, and have endeavored to present my opinions as to the settlement of the Mormon question, so far as it has necessarily thrust itself upon me in the performance of strictly military duties. I need hardly repeat that it has been my constant endeavor to maintain amicable relations with the people and avoid conflict, so far as compatible with the strict and proper fulfillment of the obligations resting upon me. Fully understanding that it is no part of my business to interfere with the religious tenets, or even the illegal practices of this peculiar people, except when called upon by the civil authorities, the open declaration of hostility to the Government on the part of their public men, and their bold, continued, and unceasing teachings of disloyalty, have time and again tended to produce excitements leading to collision, which have only been avoided by the most temperate and moderate courses of the officers and men of my command. Until such time, therefore, as the Government, in the interest of humanity and the vindication of its offended dignity and laws, shall deem it advisable to inaugurate by force an observance of its recorded laws, and come to the relief of a people oppressed and downtrodden by a most galling church tyranny, my own course had been plainly marked by the dictates of policy and the manifest necessity of the case.
Entertaining the opinion that Mormonism, as preached and practiced in this Territory, is not only subversive of morals, in conflict with the civilization of the present age, and oppressive on the people, but also deeply and boldly in contravention of the laws and bests interests of the nation, I have sought, by every proper means in my power, to arrest its progress and prevent its spread. As a question for the civilian, I can conceive of but two ways at striking at its root and annihilating its baneful influence. The one, by an adequate military force, acting under martial law and punishing, with a strong hand, every infraction of law or loyalty; the other, by inviting into the Territory large numbers of Gentiles to live among and dwell with the people. The former, I am aware, is at the present time impracticable, even though it were deemed advisable. The latter, if practicable, is perhaps, in any event, the wiser course. With these remarks I desire to inform the Department Commander that I have considered the discovery of gold, silver, and other valuable minerals in the Territory of the highest importance, and as presenting the only prospect of bringing hither such a population as is desirable or possible. The discovery of such mines would unquestionably induce and immigration to the Territory of a hardy, industrious, and enterprising population, as could not but result in the happiest effects, and, in my opinion, presents the only sure means of settling peaceably the “Mormon question.” Their presence and intercourse with the people already here would greatly tend to disabuse the minds of the latter of the false, frivolous, yet dangerous and constant teachings of the leaders that the Government is their enemy and persecutor for opinion’s sake.
As
I have said, these doctrines are continually being preached to them, until the
mass of the people believe that the Government, instead of desiring their
welfare, seeks their destruction. To the
end, then, that the inducements to come hither may be presented to the teeming
populations of the East and West, seeking new fields of exploration and
prosperity, I have looked upon the discovery of the mines in this Territory as
in the highest degree important, first to this people, and secondly to the
Government, for the reasons stated.
Having reason to believe that the Territory is full of mineral wealth, I
have instructed commanders of posts and detachments to permit the men of their
commands to prospect the country in the vicinity of their respective posts
whenever such course would not interfere with their military duties, and to
furnish every proper facility for the discovery and opening of mines of gold,
silver, and other minerals. The results,
so far, have exceeded my most sanguine expectations. Already reliable reports reach me of the
discovery of rich gold, silver, and copper mines in almost every direction, and
that by spring one of the largest and most hopeful fields for mining operations
will be opened to the hardy and adventurous of our people. Both gold quartz and silver leads have been
discovered at Egan Canon, about two hundred miles west of this place; also, in
I may also mention that near Camp Connor, one hundred and fifty miles north of this place, large deposits of salt, sulphur, and extensive beds of coal have been found, while the springs adjoining the camp yield immense deposits of the carbonate of soda, which will one day, I have no doubt, be of very considerable commercial value. If I be not mistaken in these anticipations, I have no reason to doubt that the “Mormon question” will at an early day be finally settled by peaceable means without the increased expenditure of a dollar by the Government, or still more important, without the loss of a single soldier in conflict. I have every confidence, therefore, in being able to accomplish this desirable result without the aid of another soldier in addition to those already under my command, notwithstanding the obstacles sought to be thrown in my way by the Mormon leaders, who see in the present policy the sure downfall of their most odious church system of tyranny. I have no fear for the future, and believe the dawn is breaking upon this deluded people, even though their elders, and bishops, and chief priests may escape the personal punishment their sins against law and crimes against humanity and the Government so richly merit.
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Brigadier-General, U.S.Volunteers, Commanding District.
Lieut.-Col. R.C.
DRUM, Assistant
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF
GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of a certified copy of a communication addressed through the General-in-Chief
to the Hon. Secretary of War by Hon. J.T. Kinney, Delegate from
In
regard to the first point made by Mr. Kinney, relating to the location of
Mr.
Kinney is at a loss to understand why “General Connor should locate his camp
within the limits of a peaceful and loyal city,” and why he “did not occupy
Previous
to my arrival I was not only informed, but it was bruited about in every
direction among the people, that the forces under my command – soldiers
marching to the relief and for the protection of the Territory – would not be
permitted to cross the
Mr.
Kinney overstates the fact very considerably when he dwells on the loyalty and
peacefulness of the people of
Until
my arrival and location in his immediate presence, his pulpit harangues were
but iterated and reiterated denunciations of the
As a specimen of the loyalty and patriotism of the man from whom this people receive their ideas, as well of religion as of morality and the Government of the United States, I quote a brief paragraph from one of the so called sermons of Brigham Young, delivered in presence of the assembled multitude on the sixth of October, 1863, at the Bowery, in Salt Lake City, to the semi-annual conference then in session, viz.:
“As for those who Abraham Lincoln has sent here, if they meddle with our domestic affairs I will send them to hell across lots; and as for those apostates running around here, they will probably fall down and their bowels will gush out, or they will bleed somewhere else.”
A sermon as remarkable for its innate treason, villainous hatred of the Government, and extreme vulgarity as it is for its grammatical construction. Were it not that these words, as used by the chief priest of the church, are susceptible of the most complete and overwhelming proof, it would pass credence that they were ever uttered by any man, however debased, in any pulpit in the land.
Taught, led, governed, tyrannized over by such men, by means of the most perfect system, extending throughout the whole people, and down into the deepest recesses of every-day private and domestic life, covered with the thin gauze of a superstition called religion, unparalleled in the history of the world, and a disgrace at once to the civilization of the nineteenth century and the free institutions of the land, it is not to be wondered at that the people, ignorant and deluded, should have attained a state of feeling not merely inimical to the Government, but bordering on treason, only suppressed for the time by the presence of troops or the personal fears of the wily, traitorous, and treacherous leaders.
When,
therefore, Mr. Delegate Kinney affects patriotism himself and with persecuted
air and earnest professions characterizes the people of
I beg to assure the department that the presence of the troops, both in the Territory and on the present Government reservation at Camp Douglas, has done much to prevent treasonable outbursts and conflict with this peculiar people, and is doing much, in a quiet way, to lead the community back to allegiance to, and proper respect and regard for, the Government. Brigham Young has impiously sworn and prophesied that the troops should either be destroyed or removed from Camp Douglas, and should the department intervene to remove the troops, not only would it not commend Government to the mass of the people, but it would serve to strengthen his power and fulfill his prophesies. Not only would such a course be injurious to the Government itself, but the transfer of the troops would be regarded by thousands of the citizens suffering under a worse than Egyptian bondage as a withdrawal of the last ray of hope and an abandonment of them to their hard fate.
That their condition has been much alleviated since the arrival of troops I have the strongest and best reasons for believing, and many look forward eagerly and hopefully to the time when the power of the Government shall be felt, or the incoming of a new population may release them from a galling despotism and restore them to their long lost rights as American citizens.
I have had recent evidence of the boasted loyality of these people in the return of an expedition sent to the South for the protection of miners. The officer in charge, Lieutenant John Quinn, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, in his official report, states that in many places not only could he not obtain forage for his animals at any price, the people asseverating that they would not sell a grain to Uncle Sam’s minions, but he was absolutely prohibited from entering their farm houses or seeking shelter from the winter’s storms in barns, sheds, or outhouses.
I have also learned from credible witnesses that, in cases not few or exceptional, mercantile merchants and travelers visiting the southern settlements to purchase flour and grain are invariably asked if they are buying for the troops, with the declaration of farmers that, if so, grain and flour would not be sold at any price. The mere suspicion of being an agent of the Government in search of supplies is sufficient to violate any contract previously made, and debar the purchaser from obtaining a bushel of wheat, or a sack of flour, or other produce.
I inclose, for the information of the department (marked A), a certified copy of a communication just received by me from miners, citizens of the United States, wintering in the neighboring town of Franklin, near the northern border of the Territory.
I need hardly say that the utmost protection will be afforded them should it be required; but it is surely an anomalous position of affairs that citizens of the United States, peacefully seeking the settlements of a Territory of their common country, and that common Territory professing, through its Delegate, loyalty and patriotism, merely asking the hospitality accorded to humanity, should be compelled to look for protection from the armed troops of the Union. The hypocrisy of claiming either loyalty or peacefulness for such a people is too palpable to require further comment.
In reference to the special order directing estray cattle found on the reserve to be shot, which is complained of by Mr. Kinney as emanating from me, the department is respectfully informed that the same was issued by Colonel Pollock, commanding Camp Douglas, and immediately on coming to my notice it was revoked by me, and has not, in a single instance, been executed.
The department is informed that Mr. Kinney is mistaken in the assertion that this command is subsisted to any considerable extent from “the products of the soil of the Territory.” Our subsistence supplies are entirely drawn from the East, except only flour, beef, and vegetables, for which articles we are now paying exorbitant rates, induced and purposely made so by the edict of Brigham to his people not to sell to the troops. In this manner have the contractors (Gentiles) been broken up and forced out of the field of supplying, and Brigham, himself, or his chosen bishops, derive the profits from the enormous and unreasonable prices demanded and necessarily paid.
For the same reasons the hay and wood contractors have been unable to fulfill their contracts, and the troops were compelled to go into the mountains twenty miles distant, in the dead of winter, to cut and transport timber for fuel, while the animals, from sheer necessity, have all been turned out to exist upon the light herbage to be found on snow-clad hills and wintry plains. In consequence of this, not only have the troops at times suffered for want of fuel, but the cavalry has necessarily been dismounted, and many of our animals have perished for lack of food, when it is a conceded and well known fact that there is an abundance of forage in the Territory, for which the contractors have in vain offered the most exorbitant rates.
After this statement of facts bearing on the subject, I deem it my duty to the Government and the country to add that would regard it as extremely injudicious and impolite in every sense for the department to comply with the request of Mr. Delegate Kinney, and it would only do so under the most decided and earnest, yet respectful, protest on my part.
In conclusion, I may be permitted to add that, while an order transferring either myself or my command to the active scenes of the East would but be responsive to my own and the universal heartfelt desire of the troops under me, I must beg leave, respectfully, to suggest that neither they nor I have constituted Mr. Kinney our spokesman, and with a proper appreciation of his unasked for interposition to that end, and a due respect for the position he holds, would prefer communicating our wishes, on proper occasion through some other and probably more congenial channel..
I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Brigadier-General, U.S.Volunteers, Commanding District.
HENRY W. HALLECK,
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[Copy of telegram]
Lieut.-Col. R.C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Encouraged by the unfavorable news from the East, the Mormons are assuming a very hostile attitude. They have about one thousand men under arms, and are still assembling, and threaten to drive my Provost Guard from the city; alleged excuse for armed demonstration, the presence of the Provost Guard in the city. My command is much scattered, having only three hundred men at this camp. If conflict takes place, which I will endeavor to avoid, can hold my position until reinforced from neighboring Territories.
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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[Copy of telegram.]
Lieut.-Col. R.C. DRUM, Assistant Adjutant-General:
Finding that I am preparing to resist any attack, and knowing that the city is at the mercy of my guns, and will be surely destroyed if my troops are attacked, the Mormons seem to be quieting down somewhat. Although armed forces are assembling inside of Brigham’s yard, and having nightly drills with artillery and infantry, my impression is that there is no immediate probability of conflict. The excitement is dying away among the masses of the people, still in many parts of the Territory the national currency is openly repudiated under the dictation of the Church.
The leaders are buying up from the emigrants and others all the arms and ammunition possible.
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
---------
[Copy of telegram.]
Col. R.C. DRUM, Assistant
Adjutant-General:
The
excitement is fast abating; any indication of weakness or vacillation on my
part would precipitate trouble. The
presence of the Provost Guard was simply the excuse for the development of the inate and persistent disloyalty of the church leaders, who
seek to force me into some position which will secure my removal and a
consequent overthrow of my policy in
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
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HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE PACIFIC,
Brig.-Gen. P.E. CONNOR, Commanding District of Utah:
GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of July first, reporting the peaceable state of affairs in your
district, and of July second, reporting the determination of a few Salt Lake
merchants to initiate a forced change in the currency of the Territory, and
requesting the instruction of the Department Commander in relation to the
course you should take in this matter; it having been your first impulse to
crush out at once and forever so unpatriotic and suicidal a policy. Soon after the receipt of these letters came
your telegrams of the thirteenth, received last night, and of the fifteenth,
received to-day, reporting a threatened insurrection on the part of the
Mormons, on the alleged pretext of the presence of the Provost Guard in
“The Major-General commanding the department approves of your determination to avoid a conflict with the Mormons. Do so by all means. Is there not some other cause than the mere presence of the guard in the city? Examine closely. Remove the guard and troops rather than their presence should cost a war.”
The Major-General commanding directs me to say that he has every confidence in your discretion and good judgment, as he has in your zeal and ability, and is certain he will not have to appeal to these high qualities in vain.
The
condition of affairs at
The question is, are we at this time, and as we are now situated, in a condition to undertake to carry on a war against the Mormons, for any cause whatever, if it can possibly be avoided; not whether there are not matters that require to be changed, bad government and worse morals to be corrected, and the authority of the National Government to be more thoroughly enforced; but can we not pass all these by for the present, at least, and thus avoid weakening the general Government, now taxed to its utmost, and struggling for its very existence.
Your forces are very few and scattered – so the General finds those in the other districts – so undoubtedly will be found those in the Territories adjoining you. To send you the forces necessary to resist the Mormons, much more to assail them, would require more means and men than could be gathered together and sent to you from this coast; to send away those which could be had would leave it in the hands of Secessionists, and that at a time when the inhabitants are looking with anxiety to the troubled and critical state of foreign affairs.
A war with the Mormons would be the opportunity which our domestic enemies would not fail to improve, and it is not too much to say that at this time such a war would prove fatal to the Union cause in this department. Under these circumstances, the Major-General considers that it is the course of true patriotism for you not to embark in any hostilities, nor suffer yourself to be drawn into any course which will lead to hostilities.
It
is infinitely better that you should, under the present circumstances, avoid
contact with them. The object of troops
being at this time in
At this distance the General is unable to give you specific instructions as to the particular things to be done or to be avoided, and must necessarily leave the details in your hands.
To insure this dispatch reaching you it is sent by the hands of that excellent officer, Major McGarry, whom you will retain, if you require him, at the headquarters of his regiment. He is informed of the contents of this dispatch so that he may communicate them in case he has to destroy it. It would be well, however, if they were kept by you in strict confidence. A telegraphic cipher is also sent.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
R.C. DRUM,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF UTAH,
NEAR
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform the Department
Commander that I have recently become cognizant of a persistent effort on the
part of a few merchants and traders doing business in
Without knowing whether the movement had its origin in a desire to depreciate the national currency, and to this extent weaken the arm of government, or in the selfish greed for gain, or, as is most probable, both combined, my first impulse was to arrest the originators on the first overt act to that end, and crush out at once and forever so unpatriotic and suicidal a policy. I have, however, on reflection, deemed it proper to submit the facts to the Department Commander, and ask for specific instructions on the subject should the attempt be actually made. You are respectfully informed that up to this time the only currency of the Territory has been that established by the Government – legal tender notes – and notwithstanding the product of the northern mines in dust, there is not sufficient gold and silver coin in the Territory to suffice for one day’s need in commerce, trade, or barter.
The only effect of the forcible measures threatened to be inaugurated by the merchants would therefore be to depreciate to an enormous extent the current value of the national currency, and disseminate among a suspicious people the opinion that the Government was fast going to pieces, and its pledged securities little better than blank paper.
The efforts of bad men among them to sneer at the impotence of the Government, and depreciate it in any manner would be furthered, and our great nation become a byword and reproach among a deluded community, already deeply inoculated with enmity and disloyalty towards it.
In almost every other community the inevitable laws of trade would check and prevent the inauguration of so suicidal a policy as that indicated under the circumstances existing in this Territory, but it is greatly to be feared that unless some stringent measures are authorized, a very few disloyal and greedy merchants, owing, but neither feeling any allegiance to nor regard for the nation, may consummate a most disastrous stroke in the forcible change of the currency. The whole matter is respectfully submitted to the Department Commander for early instructions, by telegraph, if deemed advisable.
I remain, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
P. EDWARD CONNOR,
Brigadier-General,Commanding.
Lieut.-Col. R.C. DRUM, Acting Adjutant-General.
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HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT
OF UTAH,
NEAR
COLONEL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, at the hands of Major McGarry, Second Cavalry, California Volunteers, of your dispatch of the sixteenth instant, communicating to me the views of the Major-General commanding the department, in reference to present and future Mormon complications in Utah, and also your favor of same date inclosing a telegraphic cipher. Last night I telegraphed you as follows:
“McGarry
has arrived; all quiet. The wishes of
the commanding General will be strictly complied with. With the addition of three or four more
companies from
“For manifest reasons, some of the acts performed by me or things done may at a distance appear a deviation from the peaceful policy which is at once my own aim and the desire of the General commanding, but I beg leave respectfully to assure you that those acts have been at times absolutely necessary to insure peace, and certainly always, in my judgment, calculated to promote it. The commanding General, by this time, I presume, fully understands that, in case of a foreign war the overland mail would stand in far more danger from the Mormons than from the Indians or